Funds spent on poor university students through National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has increased from R441 million in 1997 to over R9.5 billion in 2015.
This was announced during the meeting between President Jacob Zuma, Department of Higher Education and the leadership of all the universities in South Africa on 6 October at the Union Building.
According to the statement issued by the Government Communications (GCIS) from the The Presidency, the meeting further noted that where financial aid is well managed, and where there is good communication between management and students, student financial problems have not led to violent protests.
According to the statement, Pres Jacob Zuma stated that government recognises and supports the rights of university students, like all other members of our society, to protest and to voice their opinions and grievances.
He also said while funding has increased considerably, it is clearly still insufficient to support all poor and academically deserving students.
Pres Zuma said,”In the process of improving funding ways, an efforts to root out fraud as well as sourcing additional funding to support students are currently being implemented.”
He reiterated government’s commitment to funding poor students in higher education in the context of a constrained fiscal climate.
According to the statement, the President and the leaders of universities agreed to establish a Task Team made up of officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Presidency, NSFAS, two Vice-Chancellors representing the leadership of universities, two student representatives as well as other higher education stakeholders, to explore solutions to short-term student funding challenges.
He said the task team will make recommendations by the end of November 2015.
While these processes are underway, Pres Zuma said students need to be brought on board for frank and honest discussions so as to ensure that they do not resort to violence and destruction of property, which can only lead to their further suffering and deprivation.
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